The vestibular apparatus. Motion sickness

The vestibular apparatus is located in the inner ear - so tiny, but very difficult arranged system. Definitive its development is completed by 10 - 12, and then to 15 years. The vestibular apparatus, I must confess, is still not well understood by specialists, unusually sensitive to the gravitational field of Earth, the force of gravity. From a physiological point of view, this unit - part of a complex mechanism, which allows us to orient in any three-dimensional, even in free space, as well as maintain the balance of the body.

Thanks to him, and with eyes closed one can accurately determine their location. Thus, the vestibular apparatus is the organ of equilibrium. The receptors are stimulated to tilt or movement of the head, it causes reflex contraction of the muscles that contribute to straightening of the body and maintain posture. With the help of the receptors of the vestibular apparatus is the perception of head position in space, as well as the perception of body movements.

The destruction of the semicircular canals and vestibule causes a loss of sense of balance. Dove after the destruction of the labyrinth can not fly. If the guinea pig by burrowing into the ear of chloroform off on one side the labyrinth, she begins to skate on the table, revolving around the longitudinal axis of the body. In humans, the orientation in space is, in addition to body balance, with vision, proprioceptive and tactile (skin) sensitivity. Thus, the pressure on the soles of the feet, the perceived tactile receptors, indicates the direction of the force of gravity. In Deaf vestibular apparatus is not functioning.

Tilt the head they feel by proprioceptors of the neck. Vulval inside lined with flat endothelium and filled with endolymph (fluid). There are two sites, called spots, where the receptor hair cells, which are suitable for the sensitive fibers of the vestibular nerve. Hairs of the sensory cells are immersed in a gelatinous mass that contains stones, or otoliths, which consist of small crystals of calcium carbonate. In the round bag spot located in the vertical plane, and in an oval - dear heart - in the horizontal.

In the normal position of the body force of gravity causes the otoliths to put pressure on certain hair cells. When the crown of the head is tilted downwards, the otolith sags in the balance, with head tilted sideways, one otolith presses on to the hairs, while the other sags. Changing the pressure of the otoliths is the excitation of hair cells, indicating head position in space. Sensitive cells scallops in ampoules of the semicircular canals are excited with the movements of the endolymph that fills the channels. When cornering, the head first because of the inertia of the endolymph lags behind the movement, and when it is finished, it some more time moving.

Hair cells are stimulated movement of the endolymph, it evokes a feeling of speed and reflex movement of the eyes and head. Because the three semicircular canals are located in 3 planes, the motion of the head in any direction causes the movement of the endolymph. A man accustomed to the movements in the horizontal plane, and the unusual movement up and down or sideways when climbing in the elevator or tossing at sea, can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Training (swing) reduces the excitability of body balance and prevent adverse events.

Sickness syndrome

Unfortunately, the vestibular apparatus, as well as any other body, is vulnerable. An indication of trouble it is a syndrome of motion sickness. It can serve as a manifestation of a disease of the autonomic nervous system or organs of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory diseases of the auditory apparatus. In this case thoroughly and aggressively treat the underlying disease.

As the recovery, as a rule, disappear and the discomfort that arose during a trip by bus, train or car. But sometimes swayed in the transport and healthy people. Sometimes this leads to a real tragedy. There have been cases where people who had gone on a long sea voyage, committed suicide, desperate, almost insane, rocking.

Sad story ended with a young girl who longed to become a dancer, but forced to leave all thoughts of the ballet. When certain steps, the rapid turns and multiple rotations it was difficult to keep his balance, appear unpleasant symptoms of motion sickness.

Prevention

What can be done quite healthy people with the sickness syndrome? It should be good to remember that an inexperienced, leading a sedentary life at some point begins to deteriorate rapidly being, and the deterioration of the whole organism leads to dysfunction and vestibular apparatus. Conversely, a seasoned almost always feels good. So, even at high sensitivity of the vestibular apparatus, it takes less painful motion sickness, or does not feel it at all.

Sports, physical exercise not only develop certain muscle groups, but also beneficial to the whole organism, in particular, and on the vestibular apparatus, training, strengthening him. The most suitable sports for people prone to motion sickness - aerobics, jogging, basketball, volleyball and football. During the movements on the site or field with different velocities is sharply reduced excitability of the vestibular apparatus, the process of adaptation to stress, that helps a person get rid of sickness.

How to train the vestibular apparatus? Training consists of the following exercise:

various pan and tilt head, flowing of its rotation from one shoulder to another, tilt, swivel, rotation of the trunk in different directions (these exercises you can incorporate into a set of morning exercises or do them during the day, first to make every move 2 - 3 times gradually bring the number of repetitions to 6 - 8 times and more, focusing on health and mood during classes);
flip-flops, gymnastic exercises on the horizontal bar, balance beam, with a lounge.
Do not ignore the passive and coaching. Swayed in a hammock, on a swing. Various carousel rides also serve to strengthen the vestibular apparatus. Do not deprive yourself of these useful entertainment, does not deny them their children. Paramount importance and the mood in which you go on the road. Autosuggestion before the trip and during it, auto-training, the belief that all goes well, fond memories or dreams about the future, where you can immerse yourself entering a bus or sitting in a train, will save you from anxious waiting qualm or fainting , banish unpleasant feelings that accompany the sickness syndrome.

By the way, preparing for a journey, not gluttonize, overeating is unacceptable for people with sensitive vestibular apparatus, but can not start out on an empty stomach. Another, purely practical advice: always leave the house early. In the event that, sensing the approach of nausea, fainting, dizziness, weakness (of the typical symptoms of motion sickness, especially evident in the crush and heat), you can leave the cabin bus or subway, and slowly walk the path of the foot.

Such prudence on your part will help to relieve tension, to avoid the stress caused by the fear of travel expectations, and possibly the most rocking. Finally, there is another way of getting rid of the sickness syndrome - a medical. Going to a long trip, you will take with them aeron (or any equivalent), which reduces the sensitivity of the vestibular apparatus.

But do not abuse this feature, or quickly develop a habit, and the tablets will no longer provide the desired effect. Of medicines in pharmacies is a great choice, so that, after consultation with a specialist, you will be able to pick up medication for themselves.

Syndrome hidden sickness

A few words about the phenomenon of hidden motion sickness syndrome. Sometimes a person does not suspect that is subject to motion sickness. For example, a sailor, as they say, "walk" on the little boat and did not experience any unpleasant feelings, but when he set foot on a big ship, sail, swaying slightly, his "dumps down" motion sickness, which is akin to motion sickness.

Passenger well-trip transfers by bus, tram, and, seemingly more comfortable small car with a soft, smooth way it suddenly starts rocking. The driver copes well with his driving duties. Every time sitting behind the wheel, he unwittingly sets in front of goal - closely monitor the road, obey traffic laws, not create emergency situations. It's the smallest blocks sickness syndrome manifestations.

But the driver was not at the usual place for a driver, but close, and during the movement begin to torment the characteristic of the sickness syndrome discomfort. Syndrome hidden sickness can play with a man, unaware of it, a cruel joke. But from it the easiest to get rid of, ceased to go to, say, causing dizziness and nausea tram.

Usually in this case a bus or other mode of transport does not cause these symptoms. Constantly being tempered by training and by setting themselves on the victory and success, a person can cope with the sickness syndrome, and, forgetting the unpleasant and painful sensations, without fear of making the journey.

Weightlessness. In weightlessness, the loss of mass of the otolith and endolymph orientation in space can only be done through the view. The excitability of the vestibular apparatus is increased, which could cause a violation of autonomic functions (blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, etc.). No load on the musculoskeletal system reduces the impulses from the proprioceptors, which leads to a decrease in tone of the cerebral cortex and skeletal muscle. Prolonged stay in weightless conditions and the absence of special muscle exercises can and skeletal muscle atrophy due to allocate large amounts of calcium and phosphorus.